Carriage pusher handle release

ABSTRACT

The conventional telescoping pusher handle for a baby carriage slides in housings attached to the carriage frame. Spring-loaded pins are mounted on one or both legs of the pusher handle. These snap into properly placed openings in housings when the handle is fully extended. To collapse the handle, one presses these pins inward with his fingers so that they disengage from the registering openings in the housings, allowing the handle to slide downward. The present release employs saddle-shaped triggers which can be rocked easily by the operator so that they depress the pins, thereby facilitating release of the pusher handle.

O Unlted States Patent [151 3,669,463 Boudreau [451 June 13, 1972 [54] CARRIAGE PUSHER HANDLE RELEASE Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Robert R. Song [72] Inventor: Alban M. Boudreau, Bedford, Pa. Anomey cesari & McKenna 73 Assi nee: Hedstrom Com 11 Bedford, Pa. l l 2 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Nov. 19, 1970 The conventional telescoping pusher handle for a baby carpp N05 90,953 riage slides in housings attached to the carriage frame. Springloaded pins are mounted on one or both legs of the pusher handle. These snap into properly placed openings in housings E 3|. ..280/47.37,;6827l:5l8l/((?)'(l) when the handle is fully extended. To collapse the handle, one [58] Fieid 287/58 CT presses these pins inward with his fingers so that they disengage from the registering openings in the housings, allowing the handle to slide downward. The present release employs [56] References Cited saddle-shaped triggers which can be rocked easily by the UNITED STATES PATENTS operator so that they depress the pins, thereby facilitating release of the pusher handle. 3,168,330 2/1965 Smith ..280/47.37 R 2,605,l l7 7/1952 Hooz ..287/58 CT 6Clains,4Drawing Figures PATENTEQJUH 1 3 I912 :3; 669.463

FIG. 3

INVENTOR ALBAN M. BOUDREAU ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to baby carriages, strollers, shoppers and similar juvenile furniture items. It relates more particularly to products of this type which can be folded or collapsed for storage.

A number of foldable or collapsible carriages have a U- shaped pusher handle which telescopes out and locks in an extended position relative to the frame when the vehicle is being used. When it is desired to fold these carriages, a release operating between the pusher handle and the frame is actuated, allowing the handle to be slid down toward the frame.

On many present-day carriages, the release takes the form of a spring-loaded pin which is mounted in one or both legs of the handle. Each pin extends out sideways and is urged into engagement with a sleeve-like housing connected to the frame. An opening is formed in each housing which is in register with the corresponding pin when the handle is fully extended so that the pin snaps out into the opening, thereby locking the handle in its extended position. To collapse the handle, one simply pushes the buttons out of their registering openings in the housings with his fingers and slides the handle down through the housings toward the frame.

This conventional mode of locking pusher handles has been somewhat unsatisfactory. The spring-loaded pins are relatively small and difficult to find. Also, some mothers find it relatively difficult to depress both buttons while simultaneously pushing down the handle. For these reasons, they are not wholly satisfied with present-day carriages of this type.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide a simple and practical release for a telescoping carriage pusher handle.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pusher handle for a baby carriage or the like.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pusher handle release which is simple to operate even at night or in darkened areas when the release mechanism is difiicult to see.

Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Briefly, the invention includes a telescoping pusher handle of conventional construction. The handle-is in two sections. The lower section which forms part of the carriage frame includes a pair of upwardly-rearwardly extending tubes positioned at the opposite sides of the carriage. Tubular housings are secured to the upperends of these tubes. The upper handle section is a generally U-shaped tube whose legs slide in these housings.

A spring-loaded pin is mounted in each leg of the upper section, extending out sideways therefrom. When the upper section is pulled up to extend the handle, each pin is drawn into engagement with the flared lower end of the corresponding housing. This gradually depresses the pin which then slides along the inside wall of the housing as the handle is extended to its full length. When the handle is fully extended, each pin is brought into register with an opening in the associated housing wall. Whereupon, the pin snaps out into the opening, locking the handle in place.

In accordance with the present invention, a generally saddle-shaped trigger is pivotally mounted on the outside of each housing near the pin receiving opening therein. The sides of the trigger engage around the housing and are pivotally connected thereto so that a portion of the trigger overhangs the associated opening in the housing wall. This portion is relatively straight and extends transversely with respect to the housing wall. On the other hand, the underlying pin receiving opening is elongated in this transverse direction so that it extends in an are around the housing wall.

When the operator depresses the trigger, the straight portion described above engages the top of the pin and pushes it back through the opening in the housing wall. Since this engaging portion of the rigger is straight and the pin receiving opening extends around the curved portion of the housing wall, as mentioned above, the trigger portion protrudes down into the opening sufficiently to push the button completely out of the opening so that the upper handle section is free to slide within the housing.

Each trigger is relatively large and easy to locate and manipulate even in the dark. Therefore, carriages incorporating the present release mechanism are very easy to fold or collapse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying draw DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 'of the drawing, a baby carriage shown generally at 10 has the usual pusher handle indicated generally at 12. The handle is composed of a generally upper section and a lower section 12b. The upper handle section is a generally U-shaped tube having a pair of long depending legs 13:: and a horizontal bridging portion 13b. Section 12b, on the other hand, consists of a pair of upwardly-rearwardly extending tubes 15 at each side of the carriage which are actually part of the carriage frame.

Sections 12a and 12b are telescopically connected by means of a pair of release assemblies 14 at each side of the carriage. Pusher handle 12 can be telescoped between its fully opened position shown in FIG. 1 wherein section 120 extends up a substantial distance above the ground and its fully collapsed position wherein section 12a is slid down and nested against section 12b when the carriage is folded for storage. The handle section 12a is locked in its extended position by means of the release assembly 14 to be described presently.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, each assembly 14 comprises a tubular housing 16 having parallel, generally cylindrical upper and lower chambers 16a and 16a. Chamber 16b is shaped to receive the upper end of the corresponding tube 15 in the lower handle section. Compartment 16a is closed at its upper end and three rivets 18 are driven through the compartment walls and tube 15 to permanently secure the housing to the tube.

Each housing compartment 16b is open at both ends and slidably receives the corresponding leg 13a of the upper handle section 12a. Thus, the upper section is free to slide up and down within the housings 16 between the two operative positions of the pusher handle described above.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a generally arcuate leaf spring 22 having a pin 24 secured on end at its summit is slid into each leg 13a through its lower end. The leaf spring is arranged so thatits ends bear against the upper side of the leg while the rounded end of the pin 24 projects out through an opening 26 in the lower side of the leg. The spring biases the pin so that the pin is urged out of the opening. Following installation of the pins 24, the lower ends of legs 13a are closed by plastic plugs 27.

An opening 28 is formed in the underside of each housing compartment 16b which is in register with pin 24 when handle 22 is in its fully extended position shown in FIG. 1. As the operator extends the handle, the pin 24 is drawn up into housing compartment 16b. The exposed rounded end of the pin is engaged by the wall of the housing compartment, with the result that the pin 24 is pushed into the leg 13a. The lower end 32 of housing compartment 16b is outwardly flared so that the force applied to the pin 24 is in the proper direction to gradually depress it.

As soon as the pin is drawn opposite opening 28 in the housing compartment 16b, it snaps out into the opening as seen in FIG. 3, thereby locking the leg 13a against further upward or downward movement. A screw or rivet 34 included near the lower end of each leg 13a to prevent the leg from being pulled completely out of the housing by mistake. In other words, the screws 34 engage the lower ends of associated housing compartments 16b preventing excessive upward movement of the handle section 12a.

A rigid, generally saddle-shaped or strap-like trigger 38 is mounted on each housing 16 near the top thereof to facilitate depression of the associated pin 24 when it is desired to collapse the handle. Trigger 38 has relatively long tapering sides 38a which engage opposite sides of the housing 16 and which are connected by a bridging portion 38b passing around the underside of housing compartment 16b. Openings 40 are formed near the ends of sides 380 through which the topmost rivet 18 extends to pivotally connect trigger 38 to the housing. In other words, the rivet l8 securing the trigger is oversized to allow some play between the trigger and the housing so that the trigger can be rocked somewhat about its pivot point.

The lower end portion 38c of each trigger 38 overhangs opening 28 in the wall of the associated housing compartment 16b. Portion 38c is outwardly flared somewhat as best seen in FIG. 3. Further, this portion is creased horizontally to form a relatively straight depression 39 extending from one side of portion 38c to the other. This depression 39 is directly opposite opening 28. With the handle 22 fully extended as shown in FIG. 3, pin 24 projects out through opening 28 toward the depression 39. When it is desired to collapse the handle, the operator simply rocks triggers 38 forwardly about their pivot points at 18 so that the depressions 39 engage the tops of the associated pins 24 and push them back through openings 28.

Turning to FIG. 4, each depression 39 is straight as noted above. On the other hand, the associated opening 28 is elongated in the transverse direction, i.e. in the direction parallel to rivet 18. Therefore, since the housing compartment 16b is generally cylindrical, the opening 28 is somewhat arcuate. This means that when the trigger is rocked as aforesaid, the straight depression 39, or at least the midportion thereof, extends into opening 28 as shown so that it is able to push pin 24 completely out of that opening. whereupon the upper handle section 120 is free to be telescoped down to its collapsed position.

Inclusion of the illustrated triggers 38 clearly facilitates col- I lapsing the handle. The triggers are relatively large and easy to locate as compared with the small protruding pins 24 found on conventional carriages of this type. Further, it is apparent to even the most casual observer how they must be manipulated to collapse the handle. Finally, it is easy to operate the triggers while depressing the handle section 12a. Therefore, the present carriage handle release is a considerable convenience especially to nonmechanically inclined housewives and mothers.

If desired, provision may be made for locking handle section 12a in its collapsed position. In this event, additional pins 24 are mounted near the tops of legs 13a. These will engage in openings 28 when the handle is collapsed. Also, of course, the upper end of compartment 16b should be flared to facilitate entry of the pins into the housings.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efi'lciently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be inteiipreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

t is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described.

I claim:

1. In a foldable baby carriage of the type having a generally U-shaped pusher handle which is slidably mounted in tubular housings connected to the carriage frame and which has a spring-loaded pin mounted in the handle which is urged into an opening in the wall of said housing to lock said handle in its extended position, the. improvement comprising a relatively rigid member engaging around said housing, said rigid member having a portion integral therewith overhanging said pin-receiving opening in said housing, means pivotally connecting said rigid member to said housing so that said portion thereof can be swung toward said opening so as to engage said pin projecting therethrough and push it back through said opening. v

2. A carriage as defined in claim 1 wherein said pin-receiving opening is elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing and said portion has a projection which is positioned directly opposite said opening and which is relatively straight along said transverse direction so that when said member is swung toward said opening, at least a part of said projection extends down into said opening so as to push said pin therein completely out of said opening.

3. A carriage as defined in claim 1 wherein the lower end of each said housing has an outwardly flared portion integral therewith which engages said pin when said handle is extended so as to gradually depress said pin to facilitate its sliding into said housing toward said opening.

4. A carriage as defined in claim 3 and further including a stop mounted near the lower end of at least one leg of said U- v shaped handle for engaging said housing when said 'handle is pulled beyond its fully extended position so as to prevent undue extension of said handle.

5. A carriage as defined in claim 1 wherein said rigid member is generally U-shaped.

6. In a foldable baby carriage of the type having a generally U-shaped pusher handle which is slidably mounted in tubular housings connected to the carriage frame and which has a spring-loaded pin mounted in the handle which is urged into an opening in the wall of said housing to lock said handle in its extended position, the improvement comprising a relatively rigid, generally U-shaped strap engaging around said housing,

0 jecting therethrough and push it back through said opening so as to disengage said handle from said housing.

l I i 

1. In a foldable baby carriage of the type having a generally Ushaped pusher handle which is slidably mounted in tubular housings connected to the carriage frame and which has a springloaded pin mounted in the handle which is urged into an opening in the wall of said housing to lock said handle in its extended position, the improvement comprising a relatively rigid member engaging around said housing, said rigid member having a portion integral therewith overhanging said pin-receiving opening in said housing, means pivotally connecting said rigid member to said housing so that said portion thereof can be swung toward said opening so as to engage said pin projecting therethrough and push it back through said opening.
 2. A carriage as defined in claim 1 wherein said pin-receiving opening is elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing and said portion has a projection which is positioned directly opposite said opening and which is relatively straight along said transverse direction so that when said member is swung toward said opening, at least a part of said projection extends down into said opening so as to push said pin therein completely out of said opening.
 3. A carriage as defined in claim 1 wherein the lower end of each said housing has an outwardly flared portion integral therewith which engages said pin when said handle is extended so as to gradually depress said pin to facilitate its sliding into said housing toward said opening.
 4. A carriage as defined in claim 3 and further including a stop mounted near the lower end of at least one leg of said U-shaped handle for engaging said housing when said handle is pulled beyond its fully extended position so as to prevent undue extension of said handle.
 5. A carriage as defined in claim 1 wherein said rigid member is generally U-shaped.
 6. In a foldable baby carriage of the type having a generally U-shaped pusher handle which is slidably mounted in tubular housings connected to the carriage frame and which has a spring-loaded pin mounted in the handle which is urged into an opening in the wall of said housing to lock said handle in its extended position, the improvement comprising a relatively rigid, generally U-shaped strap engaging around said housing, said strap having a portion integral therewith overhanging said pin-receiving opening in said housing, means for pivotally connecting said strap to said housing so that said portion thereof can be swung toward said opening so as to engage said pin projecting therethrough and push it back through said opening so as to disengage said handle from said housing. 